Trying not to ruin the moment, but terrified of not knowing, I had to ask.
“How are you here?”
His smile deepened. “I got on a plane.”
“Please don’t.” I pleaded. “Please don’t joke. Not now.”
Daniello lay back into the bed and pulled me to his side. “The boss freed me.”
I reared back so I could see his face. “Donato?”
“Tula.”
I lifted to sit as I peered down at him, not wanting to miss a word. “Tula?”
“She is the rightful heir of the family. Has always been. My father and Donato were set on the old ways, and many of the family would refuse to take orders from a woman.” Daniello surveyed the penthouse with pride. “I believe you and I know that a woman is very capable.” He chuckled. “Well, maybe not a moody south woman.”
I slapped his chest with unbelieving eyes. “She just freed you?”
He grimaced. “It is a little more complicated than that.”
Blood pulsed in my face. “I swear to God if you don’t start talking—”
Daniello clamped my lips together. “Tula has always wanted to be boss. She embraced the life very young.” I recalled how Tula played nonchalant at the chaos before the party. Remembered the command in her voice when she spoke around the table. Her menacing tone with Donato. She was more than capable.
“How did she do it?”
Daniello traced my nipple with his finger, and I grabbed it as he sighed in frustration. “Capo is a captain. He was next in line.”
“And?”
“And she made it happen.”
“Donato?”
Daniello nodded slowly. “He was never supposed to rule the family. And after me, Capo was the only other choice. He has the title, but he will not rule. And she will do it better than anyone before her.” Daniello winked. “I feel bad for Capo. Tula will be boss and bitchy wife.” Daniello chuckled as he ran his fingers down my side.
“Did you know this when you said goodbye to me in the SUV?”
Daniello frowned. “Yes and no. It was Donato’s driver who took you, so I had to make sure he was convinced I was taking my position. And there was also a chance it would not work. Donato had gained much loyalty with his reign. But he underestimated Tula. And I have a persuasive way of making things work.” Donato was dead. I was sure of it. He pulled my hair away from my neck and placed a tongue-filled kissed next to my ear. “I have missed you, Phoenix. My world grew so dark without my sun. I watched for you every night. Why did you not return for so long?”
I clutched him like a lifeline. “I had to let go of my past. It was eating me alive.”
He nodded in understanding. Still, I cursed the minutes and months of despair I’d dwelled in.
“What took you so long?”
His eyes softened as he peered up at me. “I had to make sure the family respected the new order of things. Accepted Capo and would not make a move for his place in the family. I had to make sure Tula was safe.” He lifted my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm.
“So now?” I refused to let myself hope.
Daniello gripped my chin. “I told you, I am a changed man. I have become very boring.”
I furrowed my brow as I thought of Amber and Joseph, of the risk of having him in my life. “No more contracts, no ties, nothing?”
Daniello held my gaze and made sure I heard his every word. “My sister told me I had sacrificed enough for the family with vengeance for Matteo. Make no mistake, she is serious about her position, but she knows that is not the life I want. She likes you very much.”
Gratitude swept through me for the fierce woman who had just given me my life back. I owed Tula my happiness and had no idea how I would repay her. It was the love of his sister that